Control mechanism for paper-making machines



June 24, 1930. D, E. EWELLEN ET AL 1,768,088

CONTROL MECHANISM FOR PAPER MAKIGMACHINES Filed April 23, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet l inventor/J fl'ravnuii ie R Zecher Darcyf .L @wel len l @iwf/(f June 24, 1930.

D. E. LEWELLEN ET AL 1,768,088 CONTROL MECHANISM FOR PAPER MAKING MACHINES I Filed April 25, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 24, 1930. D E LEWELLEN ET AL 1,768,088

CONTROL MECHANISM FOR PAPER MAKING MACHINES Filed April 25, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 qGr-anvilleRZecher Darcy Elem/ellen gaged. As may readily Patented June 24, 1930l -UNTTED STATES PATENT oFFlcE :DARcY E. LEWELLEN, or COLUMBUS, INDIANA, AND eRANviLLE R. zEcHER, or

' MIDDLETOWN, omo

CONTROL MECHANISM FOR Application inea April 23,

This invention relates to mechanism for controlling the thickness of paper while the paper is being-made.

In paper making machines heretofore 1tI i has been the custom to regulate the thick- 'gaged If thethickness was not that required, the feed gate ywas readjusted to increase or decrease the thickness of the paper as desired and the paper run through the machine `again and its thickness again beiseen, the gaging of the fthickn'ess of the paper could not be donejuntil a long sheet of paper had gone through the machine and if the adjustment was not that desired this vstrip of paper waswasted. There was no accurate way for predetermining the amount of stock .to be fed to the machine in order to make paper of a given thickness. The regulation was purely guess work and as such was far from accurate. i

lOur device provides gaging means operated by variations in the thickness of the paper for' controlling the su'pply of stock delivered to the machine.

In a'patent to Brown, 1,157,204, granted Oct. 19, 1915, is disclosed a machine adapted to control the supply gate by means of a gaging device positioned in the path of travel of the paper. The device shown in this patent, however, Sets in motion a motor which starts operation of the L,feed supplygate and continues to move this gate until the .paper has reached suiiicient thickness to move the gaging device to another position. In his machine, Since the gaging device must be positioned some distance from the supply gate when the control device is operating to increase the thickness of the paper, the

paper will be too thick when the last sup-v ply stock has reached the gaging rolls,y or, if the motor has beenv opera ing in the other direction, the paper will have become too 50 thin when the last strip reaches the gaging PAPER-MAKING MACHINES 192s. serial No. 272,255.

rolls. Our device seeks to'overcome the defects inherent in a control device of the kind just described by providing impulses to the motor which will cause it to operate only for a predetermined time. If the amount of stock supplied during that period of operation is insuliicient the motor will be given another operative impulse until the supply gate has been moved to the right position to supply stock which will make paper of the desired thickness.

The object of our invention, therefore,`

is to provide a device for gaging and controlling the thickness of the paper being made which will be delicate and sensitive tothe slightest changes in the thickness of the, paper and which will control the supply of stock to keep the 'paper Within the desired range of thickness.

Referring to the accompany drawings which are made a part hereof and on which similar reference characters indicate similar parts- Figures 1 and 1tL together present an elevational view of a complete paper making machine using our invention;

Figures 2 and 2a, an elevational View of our control device together with the wiring circuit, some of the parts of the device being broken away to Show theinterior construction;

. 'Figure 3, an end elevation of a detail of the control device;

Figure 4, an end elevation of the mechanism for operating the stock gate;

Figure 5, a detail view) of the Signal liashing device on the motor;

Figure 6, an enlarged view of the transformer showing wire connections, and

Figure 7, a modified detail of the control device.

Numeral 10 indicates the usual stock box in apaper machine from which the `stock passes through pipes 11, 12 and 13 to the chambers 14,"15and 16. Rotatably mounted in the latter chambers are cylinders 17, 18 and 19 which are lmownas filler cylinders and supply the stock for making the body of the paper. The stock adheres to the periphery of these cylinders and is dethe gaging device. Tt

livered to a felt belt 20 which passes around a series of rollers 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26. A belt 27 passes around rollers 28, 29, 30, 3l and 26.

As will be understood by those familiar with' machines of this character, the iiller cylinders 17 and 19 supply the outside material for the sheet of paper and the cylinder 18 the insidelayer which is known in the ytrade as the filler. A plurality of drums or cylinders 18 maybe used if desired to make paper of very great thickness.

The film of paperdeppsited upon the felt belt 20 will pass between the lower surface of this belt andthe upper surface of the -belt 27 and pass between several seriesof rolls 32, 33, 34 and 35 from which sufficient of the waterin the strip of paper will be squeezed so that the paper may leave thel last vrolls or presses with suicient strength to support its own weight. From then on through the machine it passes as a strip of paper 36.

`Upon leaving the last of thepressing rolls, the strip of paper passes 'first over a roll 37, thence between rolls 38 and 39 on then passes around or over drying rol-ls 40 and -between a series ofcalendering rolls 41 from which it passes to the roll 42 upon which it is wound. If it is desired, of course the paper may be cut into sheets after passing through the calendering rolls instead of being wound on a roll 42. The Irolls 41 and 42, the filler cylinders 17, 18, 19 and the heating rollers 40 are all driven from a power shaft 43 through belts 44. Tri the stock box 10 is provided a gate 45 which may be moved up and down so as to increase or decrease the supply of stock delivered to the cylinders. This gate is operated by means of a motor 46 and mechanism housed in` a casingy 47. A lever 48 pivoted at 49 on the stock box 10 provides operative connection between the motor and the gate to move the same to lopen or closed position as will be more fully described. A signal box A has lights therein to indicate the relative thickness of the paper being made; the red light indicating the paper is too thick; the reen light that the paper is too thin, an the white light that the thickness is correct.

The mechanism so far described is that of the conventional paper making machine with the exception of the gaging rollers 3 8 and 39. The gaging mechanism and the controlling mechanism comprisin our invention will mow be more speci cally described.

The whole at 51 and the control mechanism is shown as a unit at 52. This mechanism, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings is positioned preferably intermediate the last gaging 4mechanism is shown as a' 39. rThe roller 38 is mounted rotatably' upon the framework offthe machine. The roller 39 is mounted in bearings on an arm 54. This arm is pivotally mounted ona pin 55 andl has a short integral arm 58 extending at right angles' to the arm 54. An- L-shaped arm 59 is pivoted also on the pin 55. A link 60, passing loosely through .the end of the arm 5.8, is attached to the arm 59 at 62. A compression spring 61, surrounding the link 60, is positioned between the arm 58 and a washer 61. The

arm 54 has a rearwardly extending threaded end 56' on which is mounted a weight 57 The arm 59 has on its upper side ad]acent the outer end a knife edge 63 adapted to engage a The lever 65 has also a knife edge 65 `which engages the lower side of a lever 66. This lever is pivoted at 66 and has on its outer end rack teeth 67 Aadapted to engage a pinion 68. A pointer 69 is secured upon the pinion. To give it greater inertia this pointer has a weight 70 secured thereto. The pointer 69 has a downwardly extending end 71 adapted to engage at times with one of the contact points 72, 73 and 74. The arm 71 also carries a post 5 to which a wire in the controlling circuit may be attached as will be later described.

From the foregoing description .it clearly be seen that any movement of roller 39 will be levers and arms 54, 59, 65, 66 and rack bar 67 to move the pointer arm 69. If, therefore, a thick strip of paper 36 passesbetween the rollers, the roller 39 will b e raised and through the lever mechanism ]ust described will swing engage the contact paper becomes thinner than desired when'it passes between the rollers, the roller 39 will drop. and, through the magnified motion just indicated, the pointerarm 69 will swing so as to cause the contact' arm 71 to engage with the contact 72. The weight 70 provides means for holding the arm 69 against constant oscillation. The spring 61 normallyholds the arms 58 and 59 in contact. If-chips orsmall objects pass between the rollers the spring will yield rather than move the weighted pointer arm 69 due to may the magnified through the level 65 nearl the pivot point 64.

the contact arm 71 to 74. If the strip of f thickness is passing through the machine. When the contact 71 is on 74 a red light 188 is shown to indicate that the paper passing through the machine is too thick and that the motor 46 will operate to move the stock gate to feed a Aless supply of stock to the filler cylinders. When the arm swings to contact with 72 a green light 156 is shown indicating that the paper passing through the machine is too thin and that the motor 46 at its next movement will operate to open the stock gate to supply additional stock to the filler cylinders. The labove described gaging device would operate the motor 46 continuously when the contact 71 is in engagement with either 72 .or 74 except for mechanism about to be described.

The mechanism for imparting these operating impulses to the motor will now be described. This mechanism, 'shown as ai whole at 52, is positioned beneath the gaging device just described. It consists of a cam 76 operatively connected throu h a system of gears 37 with the roll 37. his train of gears is arranged so that the cam 76 is driven through one revolution in a time slightly greaterv than that required for the 'l stock to pass from the box 10 tothe rollers 38v and 39. The be apparent.

-An arm 77 is pivoted so as to have its end 78 rest upon and engage the outer 'surface of'the cam 76. A deep notch 88 in the underside of the end 78 allows this end of the arm to drop down after the end has passed over the highest point of the cam indicated at 86'. This arm 77 carries a purpose of this will later contact point 79 adapted to engage a contact 80 on an arm 81. This latter arm isv pivoted at 81 and has a weighted end which rests upon the upper end of a pin or screw 82. An arm 83 screw threaded to the lower end of the pin or screw 82 carriesl a link 84 to which is pivotally attached a rock arm 85, the said rock arm having made integral therewith a pointer 86 which .moves across an indicating dial 87 upon the face 88. The screw 82 is threaded through the sleeve 89 carried by thel arm 90. The sleeve 89 has a gear 91 which is engaged by gear 92 on a shaft 93. The shaft 93 has a knob 94 by which it is manually rotated. Rotation of the shaft 93, as may be seen from Fig. 3, will rotate the sleeve 89 so as to move thescrew 82 up or down.

Rotation of the cam 76 in a co'unterclock- Wise direction will cause the end 78 to drop olf the point of the cam at each revolution.

the contact '72 or When this arm has dropped olf, the contacts 79 and 80 are in engagement. These contacts will remaln in engagement during the rota'- tion of the cam until the end 78 has been ra1sed so as to break the contact. When the outer end of the arm 81 is in a lowermost posltion the contact 80 will be positioned up` nearer the contact 79 and consequently the contacts 79 and 80 will remain together durlng the greater part of the rotation of the cam 76. If the end of the arm 81 is raised -so as to lower the contact 80, these contacts will be in engagement durin of the rotation of the cam seen from Fig. 3, rotation of the shaft 93 will raise or lower the end of which the end of the bar 81 rests. This will vary the length of time which contacts 79 and 80 are engaged during each revolution of the cam 76. Wires 170 and 171 are in circuit with the motor 46 so that when these contacts are closed the motor 46 will be operated, provided of course the contact arm 71 is in engagement with either 74. The pointed 86 may indicate on the face 87 just the length of time during which the motor will operate during each rotation of the cam 86.

In Fig. 7 is shown a modified form of the arm 77. This arm 77 has a cam 78 on its outer end placed opposite to the end 78 and the cam 76 rotates in a clockwise direction. The operation is otherwise the same as that above described. The motor and the mechanism for operating the stock gate will now be described further in detail. The motor shaft has on its outer end a worm 95 which meshes with av worm gear 96 on a shaft 96. The shaft 96 has a worm 97 on the other end which meshes with a worm wheel 98 on a shaft 99. The shaft 99 has on its upperend a'pinion 100 meshing with a ear 101 on a shaft 102. The lower end 0% the shaft 102 carries a pinion 103 which drives a gear 104. This gear 104 is mounted loosely on a shaft 105 between two collars 106 and 107 which are keyed to the shaft 105. A compression spring 108 surrounding the shaft 105 is positioned between a collar 109 and a gear 110,

only a portion which latter is also keyed to the shaft. The

spring. holds the collar 106 in frictional driving engagement with the gear 104 but proconnection between vides a yielding driving the motor and the shaft.- y l The shaft 105 is threaded through a block 111 which slides on vertical standards 112 pin 82 on the upper 6. As may be positioned in the casing 47. Rotation Aof the shaft 105 will move the block 111 up or '125 1 down depending on the direction 'of rotation. The member 111 also carries an arm 113 which engagesl stop members 114 and 115 on a vertical rod 116. The upper end of this rod isv pivotally attached to a rock arm 116 on a shaft 117. Another rock arm spectively. Another wire 151 is connected to a member 151 positioned between the arms 150 and 150. When the member 113 moves operate,

the stops. 114 and 115 up or down beyond a predetermined limit the arm 1172 breaks contact between the member 151 and either the arm 150 or 150. When the circuit is open between these arms the motor cannot as will be described later.

As shown in Fig. 2, the limit switch is mounted at the end of the motor 46. The wiring is shown connected to it to the upper right of the motor to more clearly show the construction.

The screwv shaft 105 has collars 118 and 119 on which are lugs 118 and 119. These lugs are adapted to strike lugs 111 and 112 on the lower and `upper side of the block 111. This will prevent rotation of the shaft 105, the gear 104 sliding between collars 106 and 107.` A' rod 120, attached tothe member 111, extends up through the housing 47 and is attached to the arm 48 through which theY stock gate is opened or closed.

l' A-shaft 113 has a gear 114 on its inner end which meshes with the gear 110. A hand wheel on its outer end provides manual means for rotating the shaft 105 to move the block 111 up or down as described.

' 'Positioned within the housing .adjacent the motor is a device for indicating when the motor is actually operating. This consists of a cam 120 on .the worm shaft 96 which engages a pivoted arm 121, Fig. 5.'

Each rotation of the cam will swing the arm 121 to bring the end 1:91 into contact with 190 to close the circuit through wires 192 and 193 with a light 230. When the motor 46 is running signals will be ashed from the iight 23o.

The signalling just described is shown in Fig. 2? as seplarate from the motor 46. It is shown in t is position to better illustrate the Wiring connection. Y

Referring now again to the gaging mech- .anism shown as a whole lat 51, it must be borne in mind'that the mechanism must'be very sensitive and easily operated. If the contacts between `71 and 72 and 71 and 74 were suilicient to carry high amperage current, it would require good frictional contact between these points and therefore im-` pose a considerable resistance against themovement of the pointer.' We have, there-4 fore, provided a system of relays whereby low amperage current may flow. through these contacts to Vsuitable relays which will control switches in high amperage lines both to light the signal lights to indicate operation of the controllin device and to operate the motor 46. T is system of wiring with its relays etc. will now be described.

As shown in Fig. 1, A represents a cabinet inwhich are housed signal lights. B contains relayswitches and control devices constituting the electrical wiring for the machine. The system is operated by alternatthe distributing plates C. The wire 215 is connected through line 17 6, switch 176, wire 161 to the center post 236 on the motoi` 46.

The wiring diagram is as follows z AA wire 124 is attached to contact point 73 on the dial of the control device. This wire 124 contacts with post 128 on a relay 129. A wire 130 leads from the other side of the relay to a contact post 132 on one of the distributing plates C. A wire 126 attached to contact point on the arm 71 leads to a post 127. When the arm 71 is 'in contact with the point 73 the circuit through wires 124 and 126 is closed to energize the relay 129 to close the switch 133. When the switch 133 has been closed current may pass through the wire 130 beginning at contact post 132 and passing through the switch 133, wire. 134 to the lamp 136 returning through the wire 138 to the post 139. The light 136 is a white light designed to indicate that the arm 71 is in position as shown in Fig. 2 at which time paper of the correct thickness is passing through the machine. When paper of less than the required thickness enters between the rolls 38 and 39 the arm 71 is swung to engage the contact point 72. This closes the circuit between wires 126 and 123. Current therefore may pass beginning at wire 217 thence throu h contact 231, wire 217', distributor plate point 127 through the wire 126to point 75 through the arm 71, contact point 72, wire 123. to a post 140 on the relay 142, thence from the j .vinto line 149. This line connects, as is shown in Fig. '28, to contact point on arm 150 on the limit switch 117 and returns through line 151 to the post .152, This circuit being closed, as just indicated, the switch 147 is energized to close swltches 153, 154 and 155.

Attached to contact points 79 and 80 on the control mechanism 52 are wires 170 and distributor plate C,

with the binding post 176. W en the con-` tacts 79 and 80 are in engagement, as shown in; Fig. 2a, the circuit is closed through .the wiring just indicated to energize the switch 174 and to close the switches 159, 176 and 166. As has been previously described, the contact points 79 and 80 are closed at each revolution of the cam 76. The switch 174 is therefore ener ized at regular intervals to close the switc es just indicated at regular intervals. When'the contacts are in engagement the switches are closed and for further description of the wiring diagram we will assume the switch is closed.

The switch 147, being energized, as described above, and the switches 153, 154 and 155 being closed, the circuit is closed through binding post 163 on one of the distributing plates, wire 157, switchv153, wire 158, switch 159, wire 160 to the motor 46, back through wire 167, through switch 166 and wire 165, switch 155, wire 162 to post 164 on one of the distributing plates, to operate the motor. The circuit is also closed through binding post 163, line 157, switch 154, line 156 to the lamp 156 and back through wire 138 to the binding post 139 to light the green light 156. This light indicates that the paper is too thin and that the motor 46 will next operate to open the stock gate to in-I crease the supply of paper stock to the filler cylinders.

When the contact arm 71 is in engagement with contact point 74, the circuit is closed through wires 126 and wires 125 to energize relay 178 to close the switch 180, the current passing through the circuit as follows; Beginning at point 127 and passing through wire 126 to post 75 through the arm 71, contact point 74, line 125, tothe post 177 on the relay 178, returning throu h line 179, wire 130, to contact point 132. he relay 178 being energized closes the switch 180. The circuit ils now closed from contact point 132, through line 130, switch 180, line 181 to the switch 182, line 183 to a post 183 on the limit switch 117, `through the line 151 to a `contact post 152.y This energizes the switch 182 and closes switches 184, 185 and 186. The circuit is then closed from post 163 through linev 157 switch 184, line 165, switch 166, line 167, to motor 46, line 160, through switch 159, through line 158, switch 186, line 162 to post 164. It will be seen from the connections just described that posts 163 and 164 are now connected to the motor in reverse order from that described when switches 153 and 155 were closed. This ener 'zes the'motor to driveit in an opposite direction from that describedl when the switch 147 was energized. The circuit likewise will be closed through `line 157, switch 185, line 187 to the red light 188 and thence through line 138. The red light is then burning indicating that the paper is to thick and that the motor will next operate to decrease the supply of stock fed to the filler cylinders.

It will therefore be seen from the foregolng wiring diagram that when contact arm 71 is on contact point 73 a white light is lit, and when the arm is on 72 a green light is lit, and when on contact point 74 a red light is shown, and that the circuits closed through these contacts energize relays to close high power current lines to operate the motor.

As shown at 200, a generator driven from the shaft 43 by means of gears 198 and 199 delivers current through lines 208 and 209 to a tachometer 210. As shown, 200 is geared direct to the shaft which drives the various parts of the aper machine. This tachometer indicates t e speed of the paper in feet per minute as it passes through the machine.

At 201 is shown a generator driven throughI gears 2@ and 203 on the shaft which drives operating mechanism forthe pump 207, the pump being driven through pulleys 204, 205 and belt 206. The genera tor 201 delivers current through 4wires 212 and 213 to a tachometer 214. This tachometer indicates the speed of the pump shaft 209 in revolutions per minute. c

While we have shown our device in use on a paper making machine to control the thickness of the paper, it is not our intenthe generator h drawings and described in the specication, i

but only as set forth in the appended claims Having thus fully described our said in-,f

vention, what we' claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a paper making machine the combination with a stock gate for regulating the amount of stock fed to the machine, of`

means for operating said gate, means for .engaging the paper, electro-responsive means for controlling the operation of said gate operating means, signalling means toV indicate when said controlling means is in operation, and safety means limiting the movement of said gate-beyond predetermined limits, substantially as set forth.

v`stantially as set forth.

3. The combination in a paper making machine of a paper thickness gage mounted to engage the paper at a point in said machine Where the paper is sufficiently formed to determine its thickness, means controlled by said gage for changing the amount of paper stock fed to the machine to vary the thickness of the paper, and means operated by the paper for interrupting the operation of said last named means, substantially as set forth. y

4. In a paper machine a gaging deviceY vadapted to engage the paper and respond to l.

variations in the thickness of the paper passing through the machine, the said device being Iin control of means for varying the supply of paper stock fed to the machine,

and means operated in timed relation with the speed of travel of the paper through the machine for interrupting the operation of said device, substantially as set forth. A 5. In a paper making machine having a stock gate for .regulating the mount of stock fed to the machine, the combination of means for operating the stock gate, a gaging device responsive to changes in the thickness of 4the paper for causing operationpof said means, and means operated by the strip of paper for interrupting the operation of said means, substantially as set forth.

6.,In a paper making machine, means `to feed the paper stock thereto, a gage located in contact with the paper at a point in' the machine where theJ thickness of the paper may be determined and movable on changing thicknesses ofthe paper, electrically operable means for controlling the feed of the paper stock, electrical connections between said gage and said last named'means Whereby` the movement of the gage on changing thicknesses of paper controls said electrical connections to determine the amount of stock fed to the machine, and means operated by the paper for interrupting said connections at regular predetermined intervals, substantially as yset forth. V

7. Ina paper making machine having a` stock box with a stockgate and a motor for opening and closing the ate,`means operated by changes in the thickness of the paper in control of the said motor to vary thethickness of the paper, and means con- I and means operated by the trolled by movement of the formed paper for limiting the operation of said motor to predetermined intervals and predetermined durations, substantially as set forth.

8. In a paper machine the combination with means for feeding paper stock to the machine of means for engaging the sheet of paper, means operated by said gaging means for controlling the feeding of the stock to the machine in accordance with the thickness of the paper at the engaging means, sheet of paper for limiting the operation of said stock feeding means to predetermined intervals, substantially as set forth.

9. In a paper machine, means for controlling the thickness of the paper comprising a gaging device to 4determine the thickness of the paper, in control of means to vary the thickness of the pa er and said means, and means operated y the paper for limiting operation of the means to vary the thickness of the paper to redetermined intervals and predetermined urations, substantially as set forth. i

10. In a paper machine having ,a stock gate and a lmotor for operating the same,

means for keeping the, paper Within predetermined limits comprising a gage in contact with the paper and operable when the thickness of the paper overrides prescribed limits,- in control of the said motor to vary the thickness of the paper, and means controlled by the movement ofthe paper for limiting operation of said motor to predetermined durations, substantially as set forth. l

11. In a machine for making products in sheet form, a stock gate, a motor for operating the same, means responsive to variations in the thickness of the finished sheet in control of the said motor for varying the amount of sheet .forming stock fed to the machine, and means operated by -the nished sheet for limiting operation of said motor, substantially as set forth.

12. A machine for making sheet material comprising a stock gate, means for operating the same, means responsive to variations in the thickness of the sheet for controlling operation of the stock gate, and means operated by the sheet for limiting operation of the means for operating the stock gate to f ucts the combination of means responsive toV i variations in the thickness of the product, with means for varying the amount of sheet forming material fed to the machine, the- 'first named means being in control of the last named means, and means operated by l the product passing through the machine for limiting the time during which the means for operating the feeding means functions, substantially as set forth.

ln witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and. seals at Middletown, Ohio this 18th day of April, A. D. nineteen hundred and twenty-eight.

DABCY E. LEWELLEN. GRANVILLE R. ZECHER. 

